Berezhynska Discusses Pre-Draft Camp

To say Rice's Valeriya Berezhynska was surprised to receive an invitation to the WNBA's Pre-Draft Camp in Tampa, FL, is a mild understatement.

"Yea. I had no idea," Berezhynska said.

"About a week and half, Coach (Greg) Williams called me and he asked me what I was doing next Thursday (April 3). And then he told me I was going to the Final Four; so, I thought he got me some tickets.

"So, I thought I was going to just watch some games; and, then, he told me, 'You're going to draft combine.' So, it was quite a surprise. I didn't expect it all."

Val prepared for the combine by working out with Coach Williams.

"We've done a whole bunch of individuals and I've been getting killed," Berezhynska stated. "We have done everything you could possibly do -- we did one-one one; we did rebounding; we did full-court stuff; everything."

Coach Williams also offered Val this advice: 'Pay attention to little things. The game will come to you as long as you do the little things. Stay in shape. Do not even think about being tired.'

After Thursday's physicals and measurements were taking by WNBA personnel, Val learned she's officially six-foot-three and a half instead of the six-foot-four she had been told "for the last eight years." Val jokingly added, "I've been lied to. I've been 6'4 since my freshman year in high school."

Berezhynska described today's first session as "pretty light". There was no full-court playing just half-court basketball. Some five-on-five and a few full-court drills.

She believed many of the players were a little nervous in the first session and played "tight" because the session was in the morning; however, Val added "Then, everybody got it together and we started coming together a little bit more. The second session was definitely a lot better."

Val thought she did well in each session. She rebounded well and made "a couple of shots"; but, she didn't take the ball to the basket enough and she passed up a couple of shots.

Berezhynska has not heard any information from anyone regarding where she may be selected in the April WNBA Draft; so, she's trying not keep her hopes up so she won't feel disappointed (if she's not selected). However, Val has no qualms where she's selected. She simply wants to get drafted because she simply wants to play at the next level.